Driven plate for friction clutches



June 6, 1933. GAMBLE 1,912,703

D RIVEN PLATE FOR FRICTION CLUTCHES Filed June 23, 1950 A aha am-mPatented June 6, 1933 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE- navm E. GAMBLE,oncmcneo, ILLINOIS, ASSIGNOR TO THE Bone & BE'qK COMPANY, or'cnIcAeo,ILLINOIS, A CORPORATION or ILLINOIS DRIVEN PLATE FOR Application filedJune 23,

terial is interposed between relatively mov able parts to absorb noisevibrations from the engine and transmission units and otherwise toimprove the operation of th clutch.

The object of the present invention is to control the operativeflexibility of the driven .plate by reducing the cross-section of thecushion within its chamber to permit the material of the cushion torespond by squeezing or shifting transversely or later ally, asrequired, to the pressure exerted thereon by the relative movement ofthe parts of the driven plate between which the cushion is interposed.

The invention also has for its object to retain the cushion-in a uniformposition in the chamber in which it is located between the relativelymovable parts of a driven plate and at the same time to provide suchfree space as may be required cross-sectionally of the chamber andcushion to enable' the material of the cushion to flow laterally as wellas longitudinally and thus respond quickly to pressure imparted theretoby the relatively movable parts, thereby improving the efliciency of thedriven plate in the compression and also in the expansion movementsofthe cushion.

Further objects of the invention are to provide free space within thecushion chamber at the sides of the cushion to permit the cushion tocompress and to expand quickly in the operation of the clutch; toprovide free space about the ends of the hub member spokes, to preventthe spokes from chafing the cushion; and to provide the cushion withribs'to engage the spokes "and hold the cushion in its chamber if the5.0 fit should happen to vary due to manufae embodiment of theinvention.

FRICTION cLU'roIIEs 1930. Serial no. 462,952.

turing limits. Furthermore I can vary both the rate and amount of yieldby varying the amount of clearance or free space.

In the accompanying drawing illustrating a selected embodiment of theinvention,

Fig. l is an elevation of the driven plate. Fig. 2 is a sectional Viewon the line 22 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is a similar view showing another.

Fig. 4 is an enlarged detail cross-sectional View of the cushion on theline 44 of Fig. 5.

Fig. 5 is a plan view of a fragment of the cushion.

Fig. 6 is a detail view.

Referring to the, drawing, the driven plate comprises a friction memberwhich is mounted upon a centrally disposed hub member, and acompressible cushion interposed between said members so that movement ofthe friction member is communicated through the cushion to the hubmember whereby noise vibrations of the engine trav eling through thefriction member are absorbed by the cushion instead of being passed onthrough the hub member to the transmission, and noise vibrations fromunits connected with the transmission are also absorbed by the cushion.I

The hub member comprises a hub 6 having an integral peripheral flange 7which is provided with a plurality of radial spokes 8 disposedsymmetrically about the hub. The friction member comprises a plate ring9 which is mounted loosely on the hub atone side of the flange andspokes. Friction facing rings 10 of suitable material are fastened tothe plate ring at and adjacent to its periphery and on opposite sidesthereof. My present invention may be embodied with any type of platering to which it is or may be adapted and it will be understood,therefore, that the invention is not restricted to use with theparticular plate ring shown or with. a plate ring having any specialmounting for the friction facings or with any other particularconstruction. A backing plate 11 is secured to theplate ring 9 sinuouslength of the chamber.

with a spacer 12 interposed therebetween and these parts are securedtogether by rivets 13 or other means. A chamber 14 is formed having theplate ring and the backing plate for side walls, the hub flange 7 andspokes 8 for its inner wall and the spacer 12 for 'its'outer wall, thechamber forming, in effect, a sinuous compartment between the hub memberand the friction member to receive the cushion 15. The cushion may bemade of a single strip or of a plurality of strips of rubber or othersuitable cushion material and it is seated in the cushion chamber aboutthe spokes and flange of the hub member throughout the In driven platesembodying rubber cushions, the practice has heretofore to make thecushion of a cross-section to fit closely in its chamber, but with thisconstruction it has been found that the shift of the cushion materialunder compression and expansion movements of the hub member and thefriction member is mainly lengthwise of the cushion and its chamber andonly to a limited extent transversely. While such a driven member isefficient in service the shifting movement of the cushion in compressionand in expansion is slower than desired in a friction clutch forautomotive vehicles. This is due to the fact that with the cushionclosely confined cross-sectionally in the chamber the shift of thecushion material is mainly ina direction lengthwise of the cushion andconsiderable friction results between the cushion and the walls of thechamber. I have overcome this difficulty by providing free space 16between the cushion and its side walls which will allow the cushion toexpand and contract mainly transversely, instead of longitudinally asheretofore. I prefer to provide free space 17 about the end of eachspoke 8 to reduce friction between the ends of the spokes andthe'cushion, to prevent the ends of the spokes from chafing the cushionand to provide this additional space for expansion of the cushion. Ialso prefer to provide a slight free space, as a relief to the cushion,between the cushion and the hub at 18 to avoid chafing the cushion.While the cushion may expand and contract longitudinally in a limiteddegree itwill be apparent that the main expansion and contraction of thecushion will be transversely or cross-sectionally, and the frictionheretofore produced by the longitudinal shifting of the cushion materialunder expansion and contraction is correspondingly reduced. Thiscross-sectional expansion and contraction of the cushion provides aquick adaptation of the cushion to varying requirements upon the drivenmember in the operation of the clutch and, consequently, provides aquicker acting clutch than heretofore while still retaining the noiseand vibration absorption quality of the cushion. The cushion is providedat intervals with studs 19 on its sides to hold it centralized in thechamber. These studs may be-formed integral with the body of the cushionand they are oppositely disposed on the sides of the cushion adjacentthe outer face thereof. Since the cushion material does not shiftlongitudinally to any material extent, these studs will not slide on theplate ring 9 and the backing plate 11 but Will remain substantially inconstant position. The cushion may be provided with transverse side ribs20, Fig. 6, to hold the cushion in its chain her. The cross-sectionaldimensions of the chamber and the cushions may vary some in productionmanufacture, andthe ribs 20 are provided to avoid any loose play of thecushion in the chamber. Under desired conditions the ribs will simplycompress and distribute in the cushion when the latter is inserted inthe chamber. In Fig. 3 I have shown another form of the invention inwhich the backing plate and the spacer are made in the form of aone-piece casing 21 which is secured to the plate ring. In otherrespects this form is the same as that shown in Fig. 2.

The invention provides a quick acting cushion which is maintainedinconstant position in itschamber between the friction member and the hubmember and is permitted by reason of the free space at the sides thereofto expand transversely and quickly without creating any materialfriction between itself and the Walls of the chamber. The cushionmaterial is thus worked throughout its body in a more eflicient mannerthan is the case when the cushion is confined closely and compelled toshift lengthwise, and this reduces friction between the cushion and-thewalls of the chamber, enables the cushion to respond more quickly to therequirements of clutch operation, keeps the cushion material when madeof rubber or rubber composition in better condition, prolongs its life,and preserves the quality ofv the cushion for absorbing noisevibrations. The spokes 8 are spaced apart, radially disposed, andsymmetrically arranged about the hub, and the cushion surrounds thespokes and the parts of the hub flange between the spokes. This providesfor a greater area of cushion than heretofore and this improves theefficiency and life of the driven plate.

I have shown the invention in practical forms suitable for commercialuse but it may be necessary to change the form, construction andarrangement of parts to adapt the invention to different clutchconstructions, or for other purposes, and I reserve the rlght to makeall such changes as fairly member having a cushion chamber there- C3uous chamber about the spokes and the inbetween with opposite sidewalls, a cushion in said chamber of reduced width as compared with thewidth of the chamber between said'side ,walls, and means on said cushionmember, spacing said cushion'memher from the side walls of said chamber.

2. A driven plate for friction clutches comprising a hub member and afriction member having a sinuous cushion chamber therebetween withopposite side walls, and a continuous cushion in said chamber having itssides spaced from said side walls.

3. A driven plate for friction clutches comprising a hub member and afriction member having a cushion chamber therebetween with opposite sidewalls, a cushion in said chamber of reduced width as compared with thewidth of the chamber between said side walls, and studs spaced apart onthe sides of the cushion and engaging said side walls.

4. A driven plate for friction clutches comprising a hub member and afriction member having a cushion chamber therebetween with opposite sidewalls, acushion in said chamber of reduced width as compared with thewidth of the chamber between said side walls, and studs spaced apart onthe sides of the cushion at the outer edge thereof and engaging. saidside walls. 5. A- driven plate for friction clutches comprising a hubmember and a friction member having a cushion chamber therebetween withoppo site side walls, a cushion in said chamber of reduced width ascompared with the width of the chamber between said.

ring, the backing plate and the spacer about" the spokes andintermediate parts of the hub member, and a cushion in said chamber ofless cross-sectional area than that of the chamber.

termediate parts of the hub member, and a continuouscushion arranged insaid chamber of less cross-sectional area than that of the chamber.

8. .A driven plate for friction clutches comprising a spoked hub memberand a friction member having a cushion chamber therebetween, and acushion arranged in said chamber about said spokes, there being a freespace between the ends of the spokes and the opposite parts of thecushion.

' 9.'A driven plate for friction clutches com rising a hub member and afriction mem r having a sinuous, cushion chamber therebetween with sidewalls, and a continuous cushion arranged in said chamber, said cushionhaving discontinuous engagement with the side walls of the chamberwhereby the cushion is centralized in the chamber and is capable oftransverse expansion therein.

10. A driven plate for friction clutches comprising a spoked hub memberand a friction member having a cushion chamber therebetween and aboutsaid spokes, and a cushion arranged in said chamber, there being freespaces between the cushion and the ends of the spokes.

11. A driven plate for friction clutches comprising a spoked hub memberand a friction member having a cushion chamber therebetween and aboutsaid spokes, and a cushion arranged in said chamber, said cushion havingside ribs to eng e the wall of the chamber, to space the ad acentportions of the cushion from said side walls.

12. A driven plate for friction clutches comprising a spoked hub memberand a friction member having a cushion chamber therebetween and aboutsaid spokes, a cushion arranged in said chamber, there being free spacesbetween the cushion and those parts of the hub member located betweenthe spokes, and means on said cushion to centralize it in said chamber.

13. A driven plate for friction clutches comprising a spoked hub memberand a friction member having a cushion chamber there: between and aboutsaid spokes, and a cushion arranged in said chamber, said cushion havingtransverse ribs disposed thereon to'engage the spokes.

DAYID E. GAMBLE.

7. A driven plate for friction clutches comprising a hub member having aperi heral flange and a plurality of radially 'sposed and symmetricallarranged spokes projecting from said apart, a friction member mounted onsaid hub member and providing therewith a sinange and spaced

